Recipes

Mini Hot Browns

Here is a recipe to help us channel some sun and warmer weather that still has a hearty vibe as we shed the cooler months.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1/4 cup boiling water
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup half-and-half cream
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
18 slices snack rye bread
6 ounces sliced deli turkey
1 small onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°. Dissolve bouillon in water; set aside.

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; add cream and bouillon. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Stir in cheese until melted. Remove from heat.

Place bread on 2 baking sheets. Layer each slice with turkey, onion and cheese mixture. Bake until heated through, 10-12 minutes. (Or preheat broiler and broil until edges of bread are crisp and sauce is bubbly, 3-5 minutes.) Sprinkle with bacon and parsley.

Crafts

DIY crepe paper table runner

I’m always looking for different ways to dress up my dining table for any occasion. It’s always fun to add your own personal touch by creating something yourself. I’m a huge fan of using flowers to dress my table but I wanted to try something a bit more original than flowers in a vase. So I decided to make a floral table runner in dark-ish autumnal tones.

This DIY crepe paper table runner is easy to make and looks so pretty and playful on the table. I went for large flowers for maximum impact!

What You’ll Need

Crepe paper in 3 colours (for the flowers)
White crepe paper (for the backing)
Off white card
Petal templates
Glue, scissors and a pencil

Step-by-Step Instructions

Start by making your crepe paper flowers. The number of flowers you’ll need depends on the length of your table.

For the flowers, you’ll need to draw petals on plain white paper and cut them out to use as templates. I went for 2 different types – a more pointy petal and a rounded one and I used seven petals per flower. Place the template on the crepe paper, draw around it and cut out all your petals. As crepe paper is thin, you can fold it over 6-8 times so you can cut several petals in one go.

2. Take your off-white card and cut out small circles which will form the center of your flowers. You’ll need as many circles as you have flowers. Taking one color of petals, lay out seven petals in the shape of a flower. Glue the part of each petal that overlaps with the next petal, until they’re all stuck and form a flower shape. Then glue the off-white card circle on top.

Do this with all the petals until you have as many flowers as you need.

3. Next, get your white crepe paper which will be the base of your table runner. I stuck to crepe paper for the base as it drapes really well over the ends of the table. Cut the crepe paper in to long strips and glue the strips together until it’s as long as you need for your runner. The width of the crepe paper should be quite a bit narrower than two flowers placed next to each other. This is because you don’t want to see the white crepe paper once your runner is made.

4. Arrange your flowers over the white crepe paper, alternating colours and placing two flowers per row and then glue the flowers on to white crepe paper.

Thats it! Your DIY crepe paper table runner is ready to be used.

Book Recommendation

“The Last Letter is a haunting, heartbreaking and ultimately inspirational love story.“—InTouch Weekly

Beckett,

If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have.

I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride.

My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair.

And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help.

So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family.

Please don’t make her go through it alone.

Ryan

Seasonal Tips

Summer ☀️
Use Energy-Efficient Cooling – Use blackout curtains, fans, and set the thermostat wisely to reduce costs.
Stay Hydrated & Cool – Keep water bottles chilled and limit oven use to prevent extra heat.
Prepare for Vacations – Lock doors/windows, unplug electronics, and set timers for lights if leaving town.
Pest Prevention – Dispose of trash frequently and keep food sealed to deter ants and bugs.
Enjoy Outdoor Spaces – Take advantage of balconies, patios, or nearby parks.

Pointers for Moving

Before the Move:

Read Your Lease Carefully – Understand your lease terms, including security deposits, move-in dates, and any restrictions.
Notify Current Landlord – Give proper notice as required in your lease to avoid penalties.
Create a Moving Checklist – List all tasks, such as packing, hiring movers, and updating your address, turning on/off utilities.
Set a Budget – Account for moving costs, security deposit, utility setup fees, and other expenses.
Declutter Before Packing – Donate, sell, or discard items you no longer need to lighten your load.
Gather Packing Supplies – Collect boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and markers for labeling.
Label Everything – Clearly mark boxes by room and contents to make unpacking easier.
Take Photos of Your Current Apartment – Document any damages before moving out to ensure you get your security deposit back.

Moving Day:

Pack an Essentials Box – Include toiletries, clothes, chargers, and important documents for easy access.
Use Proper Lifting Techniques – Avoid injuries by lifting with your legs and not your back.
Check Apartment Condition – Inspect your new place for damages and report them to the landlord immediately by filling out the "Move In Inspection/Acceptance Form" and take pictures of damage you note to retain until you vacate the unit.
Confirm Utility Setups – Ensure water, electricity, internet, and other services are active.
Meet the Neighbors – Introduce yourself to start on a positive note in your new community.

After the Move:

Unpack Strategically – Start with essentials, then move on to other rooms gradually.
Change Your Address – Update it with your bank, employer, subscriptions, and DMV.
Test Appliances and Fixtures – Check if everything is working properly and report issues to your landlord.
Secure Your Home – Check locks on doors and windows to confirm they work properly, check smoke detectors, and familiarize yourself with emergency exits.
Decorate and Organize – Make the space feel like home by arranging furniture and adding personal touches.

Most importantly, take your time, have fun and reach out to your property manager with any questions, or concerns, you have as you acquaint yourself with your new home.